After a triumphant premiere at Cannes this spring, Blue Is the Warmest Color got some negative attention this fall when stars Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos told press that working with director Abdellatif Kechiche was a “horrible” experience and that they’d never work for him again.

The question of whether Kechiche pushed his stars too hard is still open, and based on the director’s statements may even be headed to court. But it can’t be argued that his methods, however brutal, got results. Overnight, Blue Is the Warmest Color transformed Exarchopoulos from a virtual unknown (at least in the States) into an international sensation.

And IFC Films would very much like you to remember that. The U.S. distributor for the French film has just released a red-band For Your Consideration trailer highlighting Exarchopoulos’ stunningly raw, tender performance. Check it out after the jump.

Abdellatif Kechiche‘s Blue Is the Warmest Color drew raves upon raves at Cannes this year, for its tender, intimate portrayal of two young women (Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux) falling in love. But it also raised some eyebrows thanks to its graphic sex scenes.

It’s no surprise, then, that the MPAA has stamped the drama with an NC-17 for its U.S. release. But rather than trim the movie for an R or release it without a rating at all, American distributor Sundance Selects will put Blue Is the Warmest Color in theaters with the restrictive rating intact. Hit the jump to find out why, and to get a peek at the first international trailer.